Alejandro Monsalve

Alejandro (Alejo) studied Foreign Languages at La Universidad Católica de Oriente in order to become a teacher. He loves learning new languages and hopes to get even better at English during his time in the United States this summer. He is from Columbia and lives in a town named La Ceja. He never went to a traditional summer camp, but he did attend an annual camp with his school each year. He enjoyed the conversations and activities at camp. He said students would drink hot chocolate and each grade would make a food or dish together to share with the others. Last summer was his first summer with us as a counselor, and we are excited to have him return for another year!

Alejo enjoys weight training, drawing, watching TV, and spending time with his family and friends. He said it is very common in his culture for people to enjoy dancing (have you seen Encanto yet?) but he’s not as good a dancer as most. One thing that he really enjoys is video games and anime series. He has actually been learning some Japanese through watching.

This summer, Alejo says, “I want to improve my level of language, meet friends for life, and live an unforgettable experience with God.” He connects best to God through praying. He says, “I enjoy talking to God. I tell him the good and bad things about my day. I like to ask him for advice, I believe that there is not a better guide.” Alejo also hopes to be able to put his guitar skills to use during worship at camp this summer.

Alejo’s favorite Bible passage is Luke 24:13-35, the story of the Road to Emmaus. Verses 30-32 says, “When he [Jesus] was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” Alejo says, “This passage conveys a very important message to me. It demonstrates the difference between who we are before our encounter with God and who we are when we are with him. Sometimes our eyes are not ready to recognize the glory of God and his majesty.”